Classification criteria for Sjogren's syndrome (SS) were developed and validated between 1989 and 1996 by the European Study Group on Classification Criteria for SS, and broadly accepted. These have been re-examined by consensus group members, who have introduced some modifications, more clearly defined the rules for classifying patients with primary or secondary SS, and provided more precise exclusion criteria.

https://ard.bmj.com/content/annrheumdis/61/6/554.full.pdf

Classification criteria for Sjögren's syndrome: a revised version of the European criteria proposed by the American-European Consensus Group

Laboratory Features Elevation of sarcoplasmic enzymes in serum (creatine phosphokinase, aldolase, transaminases and lactic dehydrogenase) is valuable both for diagnosis and for following the clinic...

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (first of two parts)

Retrospective study: The diagnostic accuracy of conventional forceps biopsy of gastric epithelial compared to endoscopic submucosal dissection (STROBE compliant).

Objective. To analyze the clinical and immunologic manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in a large cohort of patients and to define patterns of disease expression. Methods. The clinical and serologic features of APS (Sapporo preliminary criteria) in 1,000 patients from 13 European countries were analyzed using a computerized database. Results. The cohort consisted of 820 female patients (82.0%) and 180 male patients (18.0%) with a mean +/- SD age of 42 +/- 14 years at study entry. "Primary" APS was present in 53.1% of the patients; APS was associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 36.2%, with lupus-like syndrome in 5.0%, and with other diseases in 5.9%. A variety of thrombotic manifestations affecting the majority of organs were recorded. A catastrophic APS occurred in 0.8% of the patients. Patients with APS associated with SLE had more episodes of arthritis and livedo reticularis, and more frequently exhibited thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Female patients had a higher frequency of arthritis, livedo reticularis, and migraine. Male patients had a higher frequency of myocardial infarction, epilepsy, and arterial thrombosis in the lower legs and feet. In 28 patients (2.8%), disease onset occurred before age 15; these patients had more episodes of chorea and jugular vein thrombosis than the remaining patients. In 127 patients (12.7%), disease onset occurred after age 50; most of these patients were men. These patients had a higher frequency of stroke and angina pectoris, but a lower frequency of livedo reticularis, than the remaining patients. Conclusion. APS may affect any organ of the body and display a broad spectrum of manifestations. An association with SLE, the patient's sex, and the patient's age at disease onset can modify the disease expression and define specific subsets of APS.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/art.10187

Antiphospholipid syndrome: Clinical and immunologic manifestations and patterns of disease expression in a cohort of 1,000 patients

Objective. Different sets of diagnostic criteria have been proposed for Sjogren's syndrome (SS), but none have been validated with a large series of patients or in a multicenter study. We conducted the present study involving 26 centers from 12 countries (11 in Europe, plus Israel), with the goals of reaching a consensus on the diagnostic procedures for SS and defining classification criteria to be used in epidemiologic surveys and adopted by the scientific community.

Methods. The study protocol was subdivided into two parts. For part I, questionnaires regarding both ocular and oral involvement were developed; they included 13 questions and 7 questions, respectively. For part II a limited set of diagnostic tests was selected, and the exact procedure to be followed in performing these tests was defined. Part I of the study ipcluded 240 patients with primary SS and 240 age- and sex-matched controls. Two hundred forty-six patients with primary SS, 201 with secondary SS, 113 with connective tissue diseases but without associated SS, and 133 control patients were studied in part II.

Results. The study resulted in (a) the validation of a simple 6-item questionnaire for determination of dry eyes and dry mouth, which showed good discriminant power between patients and controls, to be used in the initial screening for sicca syndrome; and (b) the definition of a new set of criteria for the classification of SS. The sensitivity and specificity of the criteria in correctly identifying patients with either the primary or the secondary variant of SS were also determined.

Conclusion. Using the findings of this prospective multicenter European study, general agreement can be reached on the diagnostic procedures to be used for patients with SS. Final validation of the preliminary classification criteria for SS is underway.

Preliminary criteria for the classification of Sjögren's syndrome. Results of a prospective concerted action supported by the European Community.

/pdf/polymyositis-and-dermatomyositis-second-of-two-parts-4t4ldab41i.pdf

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (second of two parts).

Computer-assisted analysis of 153 patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Twenty-two patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis were treated with combined prednisone and intravenous methotrexate when moderate to high-dose cortisone alone was ineffective in c...

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis: combined methotrexate and corticosteroid therapy.

Upon careful examination, 23 of 24 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) were found to have abnormalities of muscle. Nineteen patients presented a homogenous pattern of muscle abnormalities, which untreated was associated with a stable course ("simple myopathy"). Three patients demonstrated inflammatory muscle disease indistinguishable from polymyositis while a fourth patient developed marked weakness associated with a generalized neuropathic process. Muscle enzymes, electromyogram, and muscle biopsy permitted distinction among the different muscle disorders, a distinction that could have prognostic and therapeutic importance.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/art.1780210111

Anthony Bohan

Papers

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (first of two parts)

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (second of two parts).

Computer-assisted analysis of 153 patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis: combined methotrexate and corticosteroid therapy.

Muscle disease in progressive systemic sclerosis. diagnostic and therapeutic considerations